After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.